Coming into Los Angeles...bringing in a couple
It looks like we're going to have medical marijuana in Illinois.
The Illinois House passed the bill in April. The state Senate approved it a month later. The bill has been sitting on the Governor's desk since May.
Apparently the law is so controversial, that Quinn won't sign the bill. It looks like he'll do nothing and the bill will become law next month.
I was a big fan of Governor Quinn. Our last two Governors went to prison and the one thing you were sure about Quinn is he wasn't going to be next. In Illinois, that's saying something!! But it looks like that's all you can say about him. C'mon man, take a stand about something.
But this isn't about Quinn or the politicians, who have been scared to face this issue for years. It's about the people who have serious health issues, being able to get some relief from their pain.
The keywords there are 'serious health issues' because that's what you'll need to qualify to get medical marijuana. Out of the 19 states that have a medical marijuana law, Illinois will be the most restrictive. So if you want to kick back, put on some tunes and have some wine and a brownie, you better have Cancer, HIV, MS, Parkinson's or something equally debilitating. Just ruined your buzz, didn't I.
Now let's say you qualify, you still have a long way to go. You'll need to see your doctor, take a physical, have certification sent to the health department. Next comes a background check by the state police.
Let's say you pass all of that...next step is finding a place to make your purchase. In California, you can find a place on every corner. They're like Walgreens, which by the way won't be selling this, or Starbucks. In Illinois, there may be 60 locations.
So if you can get through all of this, you can buy 2 1/2 ounces of pot every two weeks. But even this is a pain in the ass. Out of all the pot selling locations, you can pick ONE, then register it with the state, tell them what you're going to buy and then you get to go make your purchase. PHEW!!
When I was talking about this the other night, I was told it was easier to find my local teenager and just get it through them. Another group just said too look around the room and I could find it that way. This was definitely easier when I was 20 instead of 60 something!!
Now for the most important question....What does this mean for me!?! Hey, after all, this is my blog, right?
Even with a mild case of Parkinson's, I have issues. PHYSICAL ISSUES...the other ones we can talk about another time.
Seriously, one thing I have trouble controlling is I occasionally feel a shaking inside my body. I'm not quite sure how to explain it but it feels almost like I'm taking speed. Very hard to control or to relax.
I have a prescription for Valium and it helps. It also knocks me out for a couple of days. Interestingly, it's the second day that's the worst. I'm just wiped out physically. So I don't take it very often.
What I'm hoping for is that the marijuana will mellow me out and take off the edge off without the second day hangover. And if it can help someone like me imagine what it will do for someone going through chemo!!
So I'm sure we'll revisit this as we get closer to next year but man, I can't wait for January. I can see it now...Mr. Dispensary man, I want 2 cookies, 3 brownies and just some regular pot to make some tea. Yes, Acapulco Gold is fine. No stems, no seed that you don't need, Acapulco Gold is bad ass weed.